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At the top of the Langford Hotel in downtown Miami sits Pawn Broker, a bar and lounge by the Pubbelly Boys. On Sundays, the chic spot gives the city’s brunch scene something different: a swank rooftop affair similar to those in New York City.
There’s a feeling of exclusivity at Pawn Broker’s brunch, which officially launched Sunday, December 4. Located in the financial district, it’s not a popular area to roam by foot in search of a restaurant. Brunching there requires one to be in the know.
Pawn Broker is more of a tavern than a restaurant, so traditional tables and chairs have been swapped for low-slung lounge furniture surrounding a large bar decked out with glasses, liquor bottles, and a tiered display of Pubbelly’s famous doughnuts (it’s brunch after all).
Now that the temperature is slowly dropping, Pawn Broker’s alfresco brunch, which soon will include a live DJ, comes at a strategic time. New Times was invited to sample the bar/lounge’s entire menu, which is tasty but a bit smaller than preferred.
The menu strikes a balance between Pubbelly favorites and a few additions. To start, order the French toast sticks ($8). Fried to a crisp golden brown, the rectangular strips maintain a warm and pillowy center. They’re served with a thick chocolate sauce and a light raspberry marmalade for dipping.
Next, opt for a few of Pawn Broker’s classic dishes, which are always available. The Broker belly sliders ($10) come stuffed with thick cuts of pork hugged by miniature brioche buns. Forgo meat with the roasted beet hummus ($8), a lighter dish served with seasoned pita bread.
Be sure to snag an order of the smoked fish dip ($12), which fuses all the flavors of an everything bagel with cream cheese and salmon into a creamy pastel-pink spread. Toasted bagel thins are served alongside.
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It wouldn’t be a Pubbelly brunch without an order of doughnuts. Flavors rotate but include pumpkin and pistachio and chocolate with bacon brittle.
Note: Because Pawn Broker is a bar above all else, brunch here is exceptionally boozy. Find all-you-can-drink rosé, frozen rosé, and mimosas for $25. There’s a bloody mary cart too, where diners can create their own drink ($14).
Brunch runs from noon to 4 p.m. An after-brunch party features live music until 10 p.m. Visit pawnbrokermiami.com.
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